Computer keypad for improved input efficiency

Abstract

A numeric key pad is provided for efficiently entering numbers and symbols into a computer. The numeric key pad includes a number region having digits 1-9 arranged in a 3×3 grid, the 3×3 grid having N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW, and Central positions. The numeric keypad also includes a nearest neighbor symbol region having a first plurality of symbols, each symbol being at a nearest neighbor position of the 3×3 grid, the first plurality of symbols being selected from the set including: esc, $, Tab, Backspace, =, comma, #, %, , , (, ), space. The numeric keypad includes all of the standard keys, along with non-standard yet often-used keys. The non-standard keys are located with the standard keys such that they all fall within the natural finger extension range of a user. The numeric key pad can also be advantageously incorporated into an alphanumeric keyboard.

1 . A numeric key pad for entering numbers and symbols into a data processor, the numeric keypad comprising:
 a number region having keys bearing digits 1-9 arranged in a 3×3 grid, the 3×3 grid having a N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW, and Central positions; and   a nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a first plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a nearest neighbor position of a position of the 3×3 grid, the first plurality of symbols including symbols selected from the set including:   esc, $, Tab, Backspace, =, comma, #, %,  ,  , (, ), space.   
   
   
       2 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , wherein the nearest neighbor symbol region further includes keys bearing symbols selected from the set including:
 numlock, /, *, +, −, enter, period.   
   
   
       3 . The numeric key pad of  claim 2 , wherein:
 an = key is above the NW position;   a comma key is right of the NE position;   the period key is right of the E position; and   the ( key is right of the SE position.   
   
   
       4 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a second plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a second nearest neighbor position of a position of the 3×3 grid, the second plurality including:   esc, numlock, $, #,  , )   
   
   
       5 . The numeric keypad of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the esc key is above the NW position;   the numlock key is above the N position;   the $ key is above the NE position;   the # key is right of the NE position;   the   key is right of the E position; and   the ) key is right of the SE position.   
   
   
       6 . The numeric key pad of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a third plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a third nearest neighbor position of the 3×3 grid, the third plurality including:   Tab, +, %,  , Enter, and Backspace   
   
   
       7 . The numeric key pad of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the % key is right of the NE position;   the   key is right of the E position;   the Enter key is right of the SE position;   the Tab key is right of a second nearest neighbor of the NE position; and   the Backspace key is a nearest neighbor of the Tab key.   
   
   
       8 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a zero key below the SW and S positions.   
   
   
       9 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a space key at least below the SE position.   
   
   
       10 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a USB connector capable of connecting the numeric key pad to a laptop computer.   
   
   
       11 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display being capable of displaying at least the digits 1-9.   
   
   
       12 . The numeric key pad of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a calculator display switch capable of activating a calculator processor cooperative with the numeric keypad, results of calculations of the calculator processor being displayed on the display.   
   
   
       13 . The numeric key pad of  claim 1 , wherein the numeric key pad is incorporated into a computer keyboard. 
   
   
       14 . The numeric keypad of  claim 13 , the computer keyboard further including:
 a display being capable of displaying at least the digits 1-9; and   a calculator display switch capable of activating a calculator processor cooperative with the numeric keypad, results of calculations of the calculator processor being displayed on the display.   
   
   
       15 . A computer keyboard having a numeric key pad for entering numbers and symbols into a data processor, the computer keyboard comprising:
 a QWERTY keyboard for entering alphanumeric characters; and   a numeric keypad having a number region having keys bearing digits 1-9 arranged in a 3×3 grid, the 3×3 grid having a N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW, and Central positions, and a nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a first plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a nearest neighbor position of a position of the 3×3 grid, some of the first plurality of symbols being selected from the set including:   esc, $, Tab, Backspace, =, comma, #, %,  ,  , (, ), space.   
   
   
       16 . The computer keyboard of  claim 15 , wherein the nearest neighbor symbol region of the numeric keypad further includes keys bearing symbols selected from the set including:
 numlock, /, *, +, −, enter, period.   
   
   
       17 . The computer keyboard of  claim 15 , the numeric keypad further comprising:
 a second nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a second plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a second nearest neighbor position of a position of the 3×3 grid, the second plurality including:   esc, numlock, $, #,  , )   
   
   
       18 . The computer keyboard of  claim 17 , the numeric keypad further comprising:
 a third nearest neighbor symbol region having keys bearing a third plurality of symbols, each symbol being on a key at a third nearest neighbor position of the 3×3 grid, the third plurality including:   Tab, +, %,  , Enter, and Backspace   
   
   
       19 . The computer keyboard of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a display being capable of displaying at least the digits 1-9.   
   
   
       20 . The computer keyboard of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a calculator display switch capable of activating a calculator processor cooperative with the numeric keypad, results of calculations of the calculator processor being displayed on the display.